How to troubleshoot your Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote

Overview

When you use your Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote, you may experience one or more of the following problems:

The DVD features don't work.

The video quality is poor or doesn't work.

The sound quality is poor or doesn't work.

The buttons don't work.

You experience poor performance when you use your remote control with your Xbox 360 console.

The TV code doesn't work.

If you experience any one of these problems, see the corresponding section in this article.

The DVD features don't work

Some DVDs may not support all the Xbox 360 DVD playback features. Some features that are typically affected include the following:

Subtitles

Multilingual audio tracks

Multiple viewing angles

Slow-motion play

For more information about the features that are supported, see the production documentation for the affected DVD. In rare instances, certain DVDs may not operate correctly. Typically, this behavior occurs because of variations in the manufacturing process or software encoding of the DVD video software.

The video quality or the sound quality is poor or doesn't work

Make sure that the AV cable is attached correctly. For information about Setup and AV troubleshooting steps, see your Xbox 360 Setup manual or the instructions for the AV cable.

The buttons don't work

Check for interference. Remove any objects that may block the infrared port on the remote or on the console. This includes metallic or metallic-painted faceplates on the console.

If the infrared port on the faceplate is damaged, replace the faceplate.

Put new batteries in the remote control to determine whether the behavior is caused by weak batteries. Remove the batteries from the remote control, press each button two times, and then replace the batteries.

You experience poor performance when you use the remote control with your Xbox 360 console

Make sure that the remote control has new batteries.

Point the remote directly at the infrared sensor next to memory unit slot A.

Verify that the infrared sensor is not blocked or covered.

Make sure that you use the remote control no more than 10 feet from the infrared sensor on the console.

Close drapes and blinds during daylight hours to minimize any ambient infrared light.

The TV code doesn't work

To scan for the correct TV code, follow these steps:

Turn on the TV, and then point the remote control toward the TV.

Press and hold the TV button and the OK button at the same time for two seconds. All the buttons on the remote control will illuminate for two seconds. Then, only the numeric TV buttons (1 through 12) remain illuminated.

Press the CH+ button or the CH– button to send a series of off commands to the TV. Continue to press the CH+ button or the CH– button until the TV turns off.

Note Give enough time for the TV to respond to the off command after you press each button. Some TVs take more time to react to the off command than other TVs.

Press the TV button to save the code and to exit. All the buttons on the remote control will blink three times to confirm the code.

Note If the remote control doesn't function correctly after you set the TV code, try a different code from the same TV manufacturer. Or, scan for another code.

You can only use the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote with the Xbox 360 console, TVs, or a Windows XP Media Center computer. You cannot use the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote with VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, or other audio equipment.

If you want help troubleshooting a problem with your Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote, contact Xbox Customer Support. For more information about how to do this, go to the Xbox Support site.

Important Don't take your Xbox 360 console or its accessories to your retailer for repair or service unless an Xbox Customer Support representative instructs you to do this.

Additional support

For more information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support directly, go to the Xbox Support site.